This small-scale film has more outsize ideas than it could possibly manage. Yet Mike Cahill's debut feature exerts a gravitational pull out of proportion to its size through powerful performances, a lyrical spirit, a succession of arresting images and a depth of conviction that sweeps logic aside.

The best science fiction tells stories about people in extraordinary environments or situations that serve to open up the vast, still largely unexplored terrain of the human heart. Mike Cahill's Another Earth is science fiction at its best.

Parents need to know that this downbeat, low-budget indie drama (with sci-fi undertones) revolves around a severe drunk-driving accident and the two survivors' ensuing attempts to get through life. There's some teen drinking, as well as sporadic drinking throughout and mentions/brief images of drugs. The central car crash has some graphic images, with blood and dead bodies (including the body of a little boy); viewers can also expect threats, yelling, a suicide attempt, and a brief attempted choking. There's one sex scene (no nudity), and one scene in which the main character lies naked in the snow (only her rear end is shown).

Families can talk about the movie's violent scenes. How does their impact compare to what you see in bigger sci-fi/action movies? What is the purpose of the graphic scenes in this movie?

What would it mean to visit an alternate earth? Would you want to meet yourself? Are there any decisions you'd change if you could?

How does the movie portray drinking and its consequences?

The good stuff

Messages: The main character spends her time trying to figure out how to move on from a terrible accident, dealing with guilt and hopelessness, as well as small moments of hope. She finds her best chance through compassion and selflessness.

Role models: Rhoda makes a huge mistake -- drunk driving and killing a mother and child -- for which she cannot forgive herself; she spends four years in prison as well. For these reasons, she can't be considered a great role model, even though she works to make a positive new life for herself. She alternates between small moments of hope and big moments of hopelessness, but she does begin to find that compassion and selflessness have their rewards.

What to watch for

Violence: The movie begins with a terrible car crash with blood and dead bodies (including the body of a young boy). The main character tries to kill herself. Some shouting and arguing, and, in one scene, a man briefly tries to choke a woman. A secondary character is seen in the hospital, the result of having poured bleach in his ears.

Sex: The main characters have sex, but no nudity is shown. Brief kissing between minor characters. The main character appears semi-nude when she tries to commit suicide, but only her rear end is really visible.

Language: "My God" (as an exclamation).

Consumerism: The main character does a Google search and almost buys a package of Gummi Bears.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: The main character gets into a serious drunk driving accident, though she's not shown to have a drinking problem. She drinks wine later in the film. The movie begins at a party, with brief flashes of teens drinking (and possibly doing drugs). Another major character seems to be drunk much of the time, though he's not seen drinking; viewers see half-empty bottles around his house. A teen boy mentions "getting high."

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